Asbestos removal cost in the UK. Asbestos exposure can be dangerous, and it can cause respiratory diseases like lung disease. So don’t risk the health of you and your family—make sure your property is free from harmful asbestos. Continue reading this article to learn about the cost of removing asbestos from your home, if there is damaged asbestos present.
How Much Does Asbestos Removal Cost?
Get local prices
£800
LOW COST
£2500
HIGH COST
£1650
AVG COST
The average cost for asbestos removal is £1650. You are likely to spend between £800 and £2500 in total. The exact price may vary depending on your area and project details.
Next Step: Find out exactly how much your project will cost.
Get local prices
£800
LOW COST
£2500
HIGH COST
£1650
AVG COST
Updated: Asbestos Removal Cost UK
First and foremost, you’ll need to have a professional surveyor come in and inspect your home for asbestos. They will be able to pinpoint the type of asbestos, as well as any risks that may be present. Asbestos removal surveys typically cost between £200 and £1,000.
The cost of removal will, however, depend on a multitude of things such as; the amount of asbestos to be removed – is it in one large chunk or are there many small pieces? The type of asbestos and its current condition also play into this. If it’s located in an easy-to-access spot or if special equipment is required to reach it, that too will impact pricing. You might be able to get lower rates from your local government authority which would help offset some costs.
The average asbestos removal cost is around £150 per m2, while encapsulation is a cheaper option at about £25 per m2.
Domestic asbestos removal (per m2). Covers artex ceilings & asbestos tiles | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Range- Low | Average Cost | Range High | |||
£100 | £150 | £200 | |||
Asbestos roof removal | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Range- Low | Average Cost | Range High | |||
£800 | £2500 | £1650 | |||
small flat to large detached home – Asbestos removal survey | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Range- Low | Average Cost | Range High | |||
£200 | £1000 | £500 | |||
Asbestos encapsulation (per m2) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Range- Low | Average Cost | Range High | |||
– | – | £25 | |||
Artex asbestos removal cost
Many garage and house roofs made between 1930 and 1990 contained asbestos. Cement roof sheeting is common and if it is in good condition it is not a problem. If it starts to break down and release fibres into the air or you need to demolish the garage for some reason it will need to be done in accordance with the regulations. You will need to hire a professional asbestos removal company.
The average cost of asbestos garage roof removal can vary depending on a few factors. The size of the garage, the amount of asbestos that needs to be removed, and the accessibility of the materials all play a role in the overall cost. Generally, though, you can expect to pay around £1,650 for the removal process.
Asbestos garage roof removal cost
Many garage and house roofs made between 1930 and 1990 contained asbestos. Cement roof sheeting is common and if it is in good condition it is not a problem. If it starts to break down and release fibres into the air or you need to demolish the garage for some reason it will need to be done in accordance with the regulations. You will need to hire a professional asbestos removal company.
The average cost of asbestos garage roof removal can vary depending on a few factors. The size of the garage, the amount of asbestos that needs to be removed, and the accessibility of the materials all play a role in the overall cost. Generally, though, you can expect to pay around £1,650 for the removal process.
Asbestos Removal Cost Calculator
To get an accurate estimate of how much it will cost to remove asbestos, speak to a local expert and have them do a survey. Keep in mind that asbestos removal is not something you can DIY – it requires professional expertise. The local experts will be able to identify the type of asbestos and provide guidance on the best way to remove it, as well as give you an estimated price.
Council Asbestos Removal Cost
Many of the local councils will charge you a small fee to remove any asbestos-containing materials and some councils provide this as a free service. The cost of removing domestic asbestos is often undertaken by your local council.
Examples of asbestos cement disposal costs:
- Essex County Council will collect up to 40kg of asbestos cement free of charge
- Bedford Council provides a collection service for small quantities of asbestos sheeting that will cost from £189 to £277
- York Council will remove asbestos cement, roof sheets, guttering and old pipes up to 200kg for £72
- Richmond-Upon-Thames Council charge £44 to remove up to 200kg
Asbestos Air Testing Cost & Price Guide
The Control of Asbestos Regulation states that there are no more than 0.1 fibres of asbestos per millimeter of air measured over a 4-hour period. A qualified air testing surveyor will carry out this test before and after the removal of asbestos materials.
Air Tests Include:
- Background asbestos air test
- Exposure/Leak asbestos air test
- Controlled asbestos air test
- A clearance/reassurance air test
The price of air tests depends on the air test carried out and how many air tests are needed. Always ask for a quote before any testing is carried out.
Hourly Cost of Removing Asbestos
While many companies charge hourly for asbestos removal, you will more likely be quoted a cost per job or square meter. The total amount you pay depends largely on the type of asbestos and how it needs to be removed. On average, expect to spend between £150 and £200 per square meter.
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was used in many building products from 1930 onward until its danger of it was discovered. Breathing in the small particles can cause lung cancer called mesothelioma, which is fatal, and other respiratory illnesses. The illnesses take years to develop after the first inhalation of particles.
When the dangers were discovered the use of asbestos was banned and it has not been used in building materials since 1999. However many houses built before this can contain asbestos. The problem with removing asbestos is the fine fibres that it sends into the air. The cost of asbestos removal will depend on the location and the extent of deterioration.
Should Asbestos Always Be Removed?
Before you begin to worry about the cost of asbestos removal, dispelling it isn’t always the most reasonable course of action. Many residences in the UK were assembled using asbestos materials, but there is no need to start tearing the house apart.
As long as the asbestos in your home is well-maintained and not located somewhere where it can be easily damaged, it does not pose a threat to your health. However, when the material gets disturbed or broken, that’s when asbestos becomes dangerous. The fibres become airborne and can cause serious respiratory problems if inhaled.
If there is any chance your asbestos-containing product could get damaged and release fibers into the air, it’s imperative that you remove it. Don’t wait to see if the asbestos starts deteriorating–by then, it may be too late. The risks to your health are simply not worth it. Find out how much asbestos removal cost before it’s too late!
Different Types of Asbestos
These are the three most commonly found types of asbestos in UK homes
Chrysotile Asbestos – the most commonly used type in the UK, could be especially abundant in roofing materials and cement. The mineral accounted for more than 90% of all asbestos found in commercial buildings.
Amosite- Commonly referred to as ‘brown asbestos’, Amosite has thick, sturdy fibers. It was frequently used for asbestos insulation boards (AIBs). As it is one of the more dangerous types of asbestos, Britain voluntarily banned Amosite in 1980.
Crocidolite- Crocidolite, also known as ‘blue asbestos’, is a much rarer type of asbestos found in the UK. It was used for insulation products due to its short, spikey fibres. However, these same qualities make it one of the most dangerous types of asbestos as the fibres can easily puncture the lining of the lung.
Anthophyllite- This type of asbestos, called grey or dull green asbestos, was used in some construction materials and insulation products. While it isn’t as common as other types of asbestos, it can still be found in many buildings.
Tremolite and actinolite- Although these two forms of asbestos were not used in a commercial setting, they can often be found as contaminants mixed in with other asbestos-containing materials, such as chrysotile asbestos, vermiculite, and talc.
Where Can You Find Asbestos?
Asbestos was once a popular choice of material for builders due to its low cost and versatility. However, it has since been phased out because of the health risks it poses. Asbestos can be found in many buildings constructed before 1999, including offices, schools, factories, hospitals and homes.
Asbestos is a strong and versatile material, so it was used in many products, such as:
- Cement used for walls
- Insulation boards
- Cavity wall and loft insulation
- Ceiling and floor tiles
- Roofing material
- Pipes and guttering
- Flues
- Ventilation systems and ducting
- Floorboards
Asbestos is harmless if it has not deteriorated but as it is disturbed the fibers are released into the air. You should hire an asbestos surveyor to see if you have any asbestos materials in your home if it was built before 2000.
Health Risks Associated with Asbestos
Although asbestos doesn’t present any dangers when it’s in good condition, the problem arises when it deteriorates and releases harmful dust into the air. If inhaled, asbestos exposure can cause three primary health conditions:
Asbestosis- Asbestosis is a dangerous, chronic respiratory illness that slowly scars the lungs. In its more severe cases, asbestosis can be fatal. People with asbestosis often experience shortness of breath and chest pain while they are breathing.
Lung Cancer- Asbestos fibers are classified as carcinogens, which means that they can cause cancer. Many people who have died from exposure to asbestos have lung cancer, the same type of cancer that is caused by smoking cigarettes.
Mesothelioma- Mesothelioma is a deadly form of cancer primarily found in the membrane lining the lungs, chest, and abdomen. It almost always fatal by the time it’s diagnosed and caused solely by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos exposure is a serious health risk that currently leads to around 5,000 deaths each year in the UK. That’s why it’s so important to deal with asbestos safely and remove all health risks associated with it – even if that means spending a bit more money on removal costs.
Asbestos Removal vs Encapsulation
When hazardous asbestos is found in your home, you have two available options: encapsulation and removal. Weighing out each option’s pros and cons is crucial before making a decision. Fortunately, you can hire a qualified surveyor to assess the situation and give advice on what would be the best action to take. The average cost of an asbestos survey falls between £200-£1,000.
Asbestos Encapsulation Cost
It is both cheaper and easier to encapsulate asbestos than to remove it. If the asbestos is undamaged and not at risk of being disturbed, leave it be. Asbestos removal can be expensive and time-consuming, but a seamless protective coating need only be applied over the top of asbestos for safety purposes, making this option simpler as well as more affordable.
The average cost of asbestos encapsulation is £25 per square meter.
In addition to being more cost-effective, encapsulating asbestos also has the added benefit of:
By encapsulating asbestos, you can eliminate the expensive and hazardous process of disposal, which is also subject to strict controls.
This can be done in a shorter time frame, resulting in less disruption to your and your family’s life.
Domestic Asbestos Removal Cost
If you’re looking to get rid of asbestos from your home, it’s important to know that the cost can vary depending on several factors. Generally, the cost of removing asbestos ranges from £100-£200 per square meter. Keep in mind that this price can go up if the asbestos is in a particularly difficult location to remove or if there is a lot of contamination. It’s also important to note that removing asbestos can increase the value of your home, so it’s worth considering if you’re planning to sell in the future.
Asbestos Soil Pipe Removal Cost
You don’t need a licence to remove asbestos cement products, such as asbestos soil pipe; however, the work still needs to meet strict health and safety requirements of HSE’s comprehensive guidelines. Fewer fibres will be released compared to other types of asbestos removal; even so, we recommend getting a professional on board for peace of mind.
Removing an asbestos soil pipe on your own or with the help of an unlicensed professional will require you to account for:
Survey: The price of an asbestos survey will depend on how comprehensive you want the survey to be. With a basic costing around £200 and a full one reaching up to £1000, you can choose what’s best for your needs.
Asbestos Removal: It is usually more cost-effective to use local authority collection services than to pay for an asbestos removal company.
PPE: In order to be properly prepared, you will need to purchase disposable coveralls, FFP3 masks, eyewear, boots, and powder-free gloves.
Materials: In order to complete this task, you will need to purchase asbestos waste bags, tapes, polythene, and absorbent rags.
How to Hire a Qualified Asbestos Professional
The Control of Asbestos Regulations state that you need to hire a qualified professional. You will need to ensure that the surveyor or removalist is accredited to:
- BOHS P402 Standard
- HSE Licence holder
- Hazardous Waste Carriers Licence
- All samples are sent to a UKAS-accredited laboratory for testing
Make sure that you ask to see their accreditation and licenses before they start.
Conclusion
The cost of removing asbestos can vary depending on the size of the area that needs to be cleared and the level of contamination. Generally, it costs around £25 per square metre to remove asbestos, while encapsulating it is around £150 per square metre. However, these prices can change depending on the company you work with.
Asbestos removal can be daunting, but it is a necessary process to keep your home and family safe. If you live in a pre-1999 home, chances are that asbestos fibers could be present, which would put you and your loved ones at risk for health complications. To confirm the presence of these harmful minerals, it is best to consult with an expert who can inspect your property accordingly.
If asbestos is confirmed in your building, and you need to dispose of it, contact your local council. Many councils will take asbestos for free from residents, or they offer grants to cover the cost of removal. Furthermore, attempting to remove asbestos yourself is not only stressful; it can be dangerous. Therefore, it’s wiser to hire a professional who has experience with safely removing asbestos.
Frequently Asked Questions on Asbestos Removal
What happens if you have asbestos on your roof?
There are several potential health risks associated with asbestos in your roof. One is inflammation, which can cause the following diseases: mesothelial cancer and other respiratory illnesses. Another is that asbestos can break down and release fibers into the air, which can be hazardous to your health. It’s important to have any asbestos in your roof removed by a professional to minimize these risks.
I'm not a professional, but can I remove asbestos myself?
While you technically could remove the asbestos from your building yourself, it is highly discouraged. The fibres that compose asbestos can cause lung cancer and other deadly diseases in the past. If your building contains asbestos, you are required by law to hire a professional for removal services.
What is friable asbestos?
Friable asbestos is a type of asbestos that is in powder form and is soft or crumbly. It can be found in products like pipe insulation, adhesive vinyl flooring, and other building materials.
How do you repair an asbestos garage roof?
It could be fixed by replacing the bolt and washers, or by adding flexible tape. Where fixing washers or bolts is not attainable because of the hard entry of the roofing, the flexibility of crack repair tape is ideal. The bolt hole may also be sealed using a coating for urgent repairs.
Can I remove asbestos sheets from my garage roof?
Asbestos is dangerous and should never be removed unless it has been safely trained and properly protected. It is not recommended for anyone to attempt to remove the asbestos garage roof. There is no training nor health and safety gear available.
